VANCOUVER – Northstar, a supplier of EMS services and certain ODM parts, said today it expects add-on orders for the Lockheed Martin P-3 aircraft re-wing upgrade in 2009. Orders for sonar equipment are expected to start during the year and should be ongoing thereafter, the company added, while the first orders for fiber optic cables for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter airplane are expected in '09. Orders for submarine consoles are expected to increase substantially over those in 2008.

Northstar management also expects an increase in sales of the Netmind commercial system, as marketing efforts expand in new areas.

Based on current backlogs and forecasts, the company guided for revenues of $8 million to $11 million in 2009 with a potential profit of $1 million to $1.5 million.

In a statement, Northstar CEO Dr. Wilson Russell said, "The defense sector is the best one to prosper in these tough economic times, with prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin having large, long-term contracts in place. Having laid a solid foundation in defense contracting, we believe 2009 will be our year to 'break out.'"